Ex-Jailer's Hearing Postponed After Mix-Up

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
       A hearing on a motion to dismiss filed by former Buchanan County Jailer David Shawn Hicks, 37, was continued Monday after Hicks was a no-show in federal court.
      Hicks was indicted in January on two federal counts of obstruction of justice and five federal counts of perjury in connection with the investigation of the death of Tina Stiltner, who died in the Buchanan County Jail in 2002.
       Hicks did not show up for a 10 a.m. pre-trial conference in U.S. District Court in Abingdon, Monday, due to what his attorney characterized to the court later in the morning as a miscommunication between his office and Hicks.
      Roanoke Attorney William Cleaveland told Magistrate Judge Pamela Sargent that after Hicks had not shown shortly after 10 a.m., he had been able to contact Hicks by telephone to determine the miscommunication which he said occurred.
        Cleveland said his client would make the trip to Abingdon, but because of travel times and distance, could not get there for at least an hour and a half.
      The judge appeared concerned about Hicks’ absence, noting he was technically in violation of his bond by not appearing. Usually, she said the court’s recourse would be to sign a warrant for arrest. However, she said, it appeared his lack of attendance at Monday’s proceedings was not willful and that in the past there had been no problems with Hicks reporting to testify before the Grand Jury or to report to court for arraignment.
        U.S. Attorney John Brownlee indicated he had no objection to continuing the case and Sargent agreed. As a result, the motions hearing was continued. A new trial date was also set for May.
        Two motions had been set for hearing Monday, including the motion to dismiss filed by Hicks and a motion to compel the prosecution to produce a videotape it has.

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 Electronics Recycling Event Planned
Dispose of Old Computers, Equipment Properly

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
        Area residents looking for ways to be environmentally responsible when it comes to disposing of electronics will have several opportunities available to them in the coming months as electronics recycling events are planned.
       According to Cumberland Plateau Regional Waste Management Authority Recycling Coordinator, Toby Edwards, electronics recycling events will continue to be offered this year through the authority, which serves citizens in the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson and Russell.
        The goal of the Electronics Recycling event is to educate residents of the importance of responsible electronics recycling.
        Buchanan, Dickenson and Russell county events will be held in conjunction with the statewide campaign, sponsored by the Virginia Recycling Association (VRA) and Computer Recycling Initiative.
        Both initiatives are aimed at spreading awareness of the hazards discarded electronics pose to the environment and to highlight Virginia recycling opportunities.
       "Through this statewide campaign, localities across Virginia with established electronics collection pro-grams are being encouraged to hold events in April 2006," Edwards said.
         In addition, the Tri County Electronics Recycling events will assist with educating the region’s consumers of the importance of responsible electronics recycling.
          "The Tri County Electronics Recycling event will be a combined effort to educate citizens of Dickenson, Buchanan and Russell counties on why they should recycle electronics, what are some of the potential hazards and to increase the counties recycling rates," Edwards said.

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